In collaboration with the Berlin state-branch of Germany’s CDU, we surveyed party members before and after an important membership referendum on same-sex marriage. Our study shows that the referendum increased members’sense of party-specific efficacy. In addition, the referendum provided party members with information on elite positions and stimulated leadership evaluation based on issue congruency. In combination, involvement in intraparty decision-making promotes beliefs and behaviors among party members that are relevant to uphold a vivid and empowering party life.

Distribution of party-specific political efficacy before and after the party referendum.

Abstract: As political parties expand opportunities for intraparty participation, understanding the effects of participatory events on party actors becomes ever more important. In this study, we investigate the consequences of an intraparty referendum in a state branch of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union on beliefs and attitudes of party members. We use longitudinal survey data bracketing a nonbinding issue referendum on the party’s stance on same-sex marriage. Our analysis shows that the referendum had secondary effects that went beyond the referendum’s primary goal of delivering an informal opinion poll to the party leadership. The experience of having a say in an important policy decision fostered members’ sense of party-specific efficacy. Furthermore, the referendum provided party members with information on elite positions and stimulated leadership evaluation based on issue congruency. Altogether, involvement in intraparty decision-making promotes beliefs and behaviors among the rank and file that are relevant to uphold a vivid and empowering party life.

Influence of respondent’s position toward same-sex marriage on evaluation of politician.